NOTE: This episode tackles the subject of divorce and co-parenting. Also, there may be a few technical glitches. How tough is it to balance dating as a divorced or single parent? Yaki and Tati talk about the difficulties and traps of dating as a single parent and positive co-parenting tips. In Hot Topics in Romance, we talk about Kanye/Kim living across the street, Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet breaking up, and Meg the Stallion is single again. In Watching Romance, we give our reviews of the Lifeti...
Jan 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Welcome to 2022, listeners! This week's episode is a potpourri of topics. In Hot Topics, we talk about new babies, Golden Globes, sex-tapes, divorces and hot sauce (LOL). We also do a wrap up of Insecure, the good, bad and ugly of the final season. And we talk about all the things to look forward to in the last half of the season. In Reading Romance, we shout out debut novels by Gia de Cadenet (Getting His Game Back) and Chandra Blumberg (Digging up Love). In Watching Romance, we talk about the ...
Jan 14, 2022•54 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Our final Podcast of 2021 features writer Ari Reavis- a mother of seven who writes steamy contemporary romance and fantasy novels. We have a candid conversation about balancing motherhood, world building, and how we should put some respect on urban lit as a way to write through the trauma. About Ari: Ari Reavis is a wife and mother of seven. Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, she enjoys staying in, devouring books and watching movies. Her kids are running around, her husband is trying to...
Dec 17, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 3Ep. 13
This week on Romance in Colour, we interview "baby author" (her words) Ofelia Martinex on her Latinx-centered romance and how putting her culture first and rewriting the narrative on what it means to be Chicana is revolutionary in romance. (Also, it turns into a Jamie Camil stan account for a bit) About Ofelia: Ofelia Martinez writes romance with Latinas on top. Originally from the Texas border, Ofelia now resides in Missouri with her partner and their dog, Pixel. She loves good books, tequila, ...
Dec 10, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Season 3Ep. 12
What do you get when you mix a debut author and her love of her Afro-Panamanian culture? You get AH Cunningham and her debut novel, Alight. We talk to this indie author about her debut novel, her decision to go Indie, and why Gabo is the absolute perfect book boyfriend. About AH: A.H Cunningham is an introvert that weaves lovey-dovey contemporary romance and erotica. Her characters are Black and Multicultural adults, trying to navigate their grown folk lives while contending with all the horny f...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Season 3Ep. 11
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Time to talk all things romance and holiday. A special guest, Angela Anderson, of Angela Anderson presents joins us. Angela considers herself a "literary midwife", an avid reader, literature-focused talk show host, and literary marketing, promotion and editing guru. She is a jack of all trades in literature. And romance is definitely her thing. We talk about Christmas Movies, our Kings/Queens of Christmas this year, and movies we are looking forward to w...
Nov 19, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 10
What happens when you are trying to find love as a new parent? Tati and Yaki talk about this week's episode of Insecure and the themes of balancing dating and being a new parent. In Hot Topics , we talk more about Insecure, Twenties on BET, and the large host of holiday movies out this weekend. We also give an honest critique of Netflix's Love Hard. Find our list of BIPOC romances In Reading Romance , I am shouting out my friend AH Cunningham and her new book Alight. Check her out here: https://...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 9
What happens when you write at the "intersection of intersections" of identities and lived experiences? Our guest, author Georgina Kiersten, tells us all about how transformative romance can be for marginalize Black identities. In Hot Topics; We talk Kal Penn coming out, Kenya Moore's divorce, A$AP in love with Riri and transphobia with Sydney Starr In Reading Romance we talk Gigolo All the Way (JN WELSH) and our upcoming Holiday list In Watching Romance , we talk Insecure, Twenties, Christmas i...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 35 min•Season 3Ep. 8
We are ushering in the Holiday Season! Closing out October's #WritinginColour interviews, Harlequin Special Edition author Kathy Douglass is on the podcast to talk all things small town, romance and cowboys who kiss under mistletoe. From the Southside of Chicago, Kathy has written exclusively with Harlequin for nearly a decade, crafting stories of love and small town living featuring all Black characters. About Kathy: In 2014, Kathy participated in Brenda Novak’s online auction to raise money fo...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 46 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Shape Shifters? Hindu Nypmhs? and Idris Elba? What do they have in common. They were all inspiration for the new paranormal work by Suleikha Snyder. Our episode this week gets us ready for Spooky Season with an interview with the Indian-American author of contemporary, erotic, and paranormal romance. We talk all about her recent novel, just in time for Halloween, entitled Pretty Little Lion . About Suleikha: Suleikha Snyder is a best-selling and award-winning author of contemporary and erotic ro...
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Our #WritinginColour series kicks off in October with the prolific Kenya Wright (KenyaWrightBooks.com), author of over 61 novels and novellas, including contemporary, paranormal and speculative romance. We have a wonderful conversation about being fearless and writing whatever you want, when you want In Romance Hot Topics, we talk about Tamar Braxton and the idea of going 1/2 on dates and the Dave Chappelle Netflix special controversy. In Watching Romance, we highlight Hallmark's South Beach Lov...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Can you have more than one soulmate? Yakini and Tati delve into soulmates, particularly for the second time around in relationships. In Hot Topics , we talk about the Millenium Tour and Omarion/Fizz reconciling, Ryan Henry's messy relationship, and Keisha Knight Pulliam's fairy tale backyard wedding. In Reading Romance , Tati digs into her long TBR list and recommends Sajni Patel's The Trouble with Hating Yo u. In Watching Romance , we are raving over HBO Max's British Rom-Com series, Starstruck...
Oct 08, 2021•58 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Where did all the black rom-coms go? The Golden Age of the Black Rom Com of the late 90s/early 00s seems to have come and gone. In this episode, we talk about the rise and fall of the Black Rom-Com, some of our faves, and what it would take for Black rom-coms to have a Renaissance. In Hot Topics in Romance , Yakini talks about Lori and MBJ, Will Smith confirming our suspicions and BowWow and Diddy having a man-to-man over his ex. In Listening to Romance , we shout out the Brazen Babes Podcast wi...
Oct 01, 2021•57 min•Season 3Ep. 2
This second installment in our monthly #WritinginColour series features the one and only LaQuette . Not only is LaQuette a prolific writer who centers Black, queer, multicultural, and plus-sized characters, she is also a changemaker who is leading the way with a new vision and purpose of the RWA (Romance Writers of America). We talk about some of her earlier works; her work with RWA and her two brand new offerings for Harlequin Desire (her very first with the line) and what it means to her. Warn...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 2
#WritinginColour is coming at you monthly! We have a special double episode this month to kick of fall! We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Sera Taino, a bold, bright Latindad author who gives us love, light, and big Puerto Rican family romances. We talk about all things romance, her process and what is was like being the inaugural winner of the Harlequin Mentorship program. A little about Sera: Sera Taíno writes romances exploring love in the context of community and family with an emphas...
Sep 24, 2021•59 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We are back for season 3!!! We are so excited. We talk about the highlights from the previous seasons and what's to come in the coming season. Our Hot Topics we talk about Nicki Minaj's problems and how Lil Nas X is causing all the trouble just by being him. For our Romance Topic : We talk about how Venus Williams is redefining what "Happily Ever After" looks like after forty. Sometimes it isn't about the fairy tale, but redefining what is just "happy for now". In Watching Romance , we talk abou...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 1
(Pre-recorded June) We are back!! Tati and Yakini wrap up Season 2 of the podcast with a review of our favorite podcast episodes and reflect on the last season of one of our favorite series, Pose. The groundbreaking series ran for 3 seasons, featuring a BIPOC heavy LGBTQIA cast that centered trans experiences. Yaki and Tati talk about the highs and lows of the last season and what it meant to use as fans. We also dig into the MailBag and answer some listener questions (anonymously of course!) We...
Jul 16, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Our #WritinginColour author series is coming ot an end and we have saved the best for last. We interview Nigerian-American author J adesola James (Twitter: @JJ_Nicola) about not one but two of her novels coming out in 2021. Her debut novel, T he Sweetest Charade (Carina) is a fake dating, sweet heat of a romance where trains, luxury and love are abound. Her second novel, Redeemed by his New York Cinderella (Harlequin) turns the classic fairytale on its head with an edgy guy and a spunky love int...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 39
I've been lucky to meet amazing friends and writers via the Inclusive Romance Project. One such writer is Kelly Cain (Twitter: @KellyCainAuthor) . Kelly, a Northern Cali native now living in Austin, TX is a proud mom and grandma who loves to write witty, sexy and bold books with tons of snark featuring a multicultural cast of characters. We talk about her latest book, An Acquired Taste , the publishing process, diversity and inclusion, family recipes, and tarot cards! (Trust me, it all makes sen...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 41
TW: ableism, disease, mass shootings. Our #WritinginColour conversation continues with Preslaysa Williams (Twitter: @PreslaysaWrites), actress and author of contemporary romance with "an Afro-Filipina twist." We talk about identity, the politics of decolonization, and writing about heavy subjects in profound ways. We also talk about the city of Charleston as a character in her latest work "A Low Country Bride" and how "sharing your light" doesn't have to dim romance in the least. A little about ...
Jun 25, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 35
This week in our #Writin inColour series, we talk to 4 time Emma award winner, Lisa Rayne (Twitter @AuthorRayne) . We talked to the Kansas City native about her career as a former lawyer turned high school teacher, planner obsessions, and life as both an indie and traditional romance writer. In addition, we tackled the nuances of pitching your work, "pigeonholing" Black romance, and how to move through the fear and live your wildest dream. Her next release, Never Cross a Highlander (Entangled), ...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 2Ep. 36
This week's #WritinginColour series features one of our faves, Mimi Grace . This Canadian author is carving out a niche for herself in Indie romance as someone who writes authentic, fun and sexy romance. We talk about the writing process behind her books ( Along for the Ride and Making a Scene ), her fabulous POV, as well as her upcoming projects and series. (Not to mention her love of reality TV dating shows! LOL) About Mimi: Mimi Grace credits the romance genre for turning her into a bookworm ...
Jun 11, 2021•59 min•Season 2Ep. 35
As a former art teacher, indie author Ruthie Lenor (twitter: @lenor_The) knows a thing or two about the creative process. In this episode of our #writingincolour series, I talk to Ruthie about falling in love with romance, writing that matters, growing up in Texas, and how being a former art teacher (and fanfic writer) allows her to be creative within her novels. Plus, a little something about angst (LOL). A little about Ruthie: Ruthie Lenor is a former art teacher who transferred her creativity...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Edwina-Martin Arnold's (IG: @EdwinaMartinaArnold1) fascinating, nearly two decade long journey through the world of romance publishing began with a successful run in traditional publishing. Now, she's redefining what romance means to her as an independent author who is publishing the romance she truly loves to write. In our latest #WritinginColour episode, Tati has the honor of talking to Edwina. We talk about writing romance on your own terms, family inspirations, diversity (or lack thereof) in...
May 28, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Spunky, dynamic and self-assured: These are a few words I would choose to describe indie romance author Lucy Eden (IG @LucyEdenAuthor). She's a prolific author with a strong social media presence that truly knows what she wants out of romance and is making her mark in the romance industry. We talk writing in a pandemic, marketing as an indie author and so much more. Follow Lucy Eden on Twitter, IG and everywhere at the handle @LucyEdenAuthor or visit her website. www.lucyeden.com...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Murder, Mayhem and steamy, Romance? That is what you get when read anything that indie author Rae Shawn (IG/Twitter:@RaeShawnStories) offers! We talk with this native Los Angeleno about about her love of true crime, her work in sociology and how all roads led to her writing romantic suspense featuring Black characters. We talk craft and the formula for writing good, social awareness, engaging romantic suspense and so much more! #WritinginColour Follow Rae Shawn: Instagram: @RaeShawnStories Twitt...
May 14, 2021•56 min•Season 2Ep. 29
What is the life of a romance writer like? What are the struggles of publishing? What draws fans to the industry? Why do people shit on romance even though it is a billion dollar industry? In our first installment of our #WritinginColour series for the season, we talk to author Terri Ley (Working It, Take it Off) about two romance documentaries, Love Between the Covers (Amazon) and Naughty Books (Hulu). We talk the good, bad, sad, and ugly about each of the series and how BIPOC and Black women s...
May 07, 2021•58 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Can women and men be strictly platonic? Steve Harvey doesn't think so. Tati and Yakini talk about if men and women can truly be friends (with a special guest who also makes an appearance). In Hot Topics in Romance , we talk Issa Rae and her secret love life, Van Jones and Kim K rumors, DMX's funeral, and Karlie Redd seeking clout with Lamar Odom. In Reading Romance , today is Super Tuesday in publishing. We highlight some of our faves dropping this week. An Earl, A Girl and a Toddler by Vanessa ...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Hey, folks! We are back from Spring break with more topics in romance! This week, we review Lust and Envy, two movies produced for Lifetime by TD Jakes based on books by Victoria Christopher Murray. In Hot Topics in Romance , we talk about all these babies Nick Cannon is making, Kevin Samuels being mad misogynoir, and Keri Hilson talking about no sex before marriage. In Reading Romance , we hype up a second-chance romance tennis love story Game Set Match by Nana Malone. In Listening to Romance ,...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Tati and Yakini talk about Jeannie Mai and Jeezy's wedding, her past "comments" on black men, race and relationships, and what it takes to sustain a healthy, happy interracial relationship. In Hot Topics in Romance , we talk Lil Nas X reaching #1, Rege-Jean Page leaving Bridgeton, and Versuz reflections. In Watching Romance , we talk Lust (Apr10) on Lifetime, Concrete Cowboys (Netflix), and Ready to Love on OWN. In Reading Romance , Tati gets erotic with Katrina Jackson's n ovella Neighborly, an...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 31 min•Season 2Ep. 24
